Environmental Echo

Don Corrigan discusses his new book, "Nuts About Squirrels" with Kevin Killeen on KMOX's “Whole Nother Story.” For more information about Corrigan's new book visit www.environmentalecho.com.

Heather Navarro shares information and insights into the CLEAN Missouri Initiative and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. She was also recently elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for the 28th Ward, which filled the seat formerly held by Mayor Lyda Krewson. In this wide-ranging interview, Navarro talks about the importance of the City of St. Louis becoming sustainable and combating the affects of climate change, urban and rural areas working together, the safety of residents living near the radioactive waste in North County, and measures that will be on the ballot for St. Louis City in 2018.

Jean Turney, the education coordinator at Forest Park Forever, shares her insights of the wild spaces open to everyone at the park. Everyone in the St. Louis area knows about the great institutions in Forest Park, like the Saint Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, and The Muny. However, many may not know about the natural wild spaces in Forest Park. From old growth forests, bird watching, fishing, nature walking trails, to outdoor learning opportunities - it's all there just waiting to be discovered. Pictured: Jean Turney, education coordinator at Forest Park Forever. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Are you concerned the historic flooding in the Fenton, Pacific, Eureka, Valley Park, Sunset Hills, and the St. Louis area will happen again? You should be. David Stokes, the executive director of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, offers insights into what lessons are not being learned from repeated mistakes, the hardships, the choices local areas face, and a few common sense solutions.

Peter Dykstra is an award-winning environmental journalist with diverse and collective knowledge of the issues confronting the environment, the industry that reports on the environment, and the policies that affect the environment. The former board member of the Society of Environmental Journalist talks with Don Corrigan about the origins of the journalism organization, activism, the current political climate, and many other topics related to the environment.

Hear Kevin Killeen, from KMOX Radio St. Louis, interview Don Corrigan about the new book Images of America: Forest Park. (Interview date was Wednesday, July 12, 2017) Images of America: Forest Park, a new book by Don Corrigan and Holly Shanks, is dedicated to the more than 13 million people who make Forest Park come alive with their visits each year.  The book is full of historic photographs and insightful stories that tell the significance of Forest Park, its history, and its world class institutions. The book will release on July 17, 2017, and can be purchase on Amazon.

The Fenton Board of Aldermen heard concerns from the residents and business owners about the recent flooding at its meeting on June 8. Historic flooding has plagued the area for the second time in less than 18 months. Comments ranged from the issues of floodplain development to the Valley Park levee.

Dan Zarlenga is the guest on this week's Environmental Echo podcast series. Zarlenga, the St. Louis Regional Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, has a unique hobby - he photographs the star filled night sky while incorporating night-time landscapes. The photographs are stunning and Zarlenga shares his techniques, how long it took to learn the craft of nighttime photography, and his passion for the outdoors. See more of Zarlenga's photos at environmentalecho.com (all photos provided by Dan Zarlenga.)

A new book by Nancy Carver, Discovering Public Parks in St. Louis, Missouri, has put hundreds of St. Louis County and St. Louis City parks in one combined reference place. The details of each park are included and readers get a glimpse into elements, such as the history, sculptures, amenities, special features, size, location, and little-known facts about each park. The book is comprehensive and incorporates all parks, whether federal, state, city, county, or neighborhood. "Only three other major cities have more parks than St. Louis City and County combined. Only three other major cities have a signature park with more visitors than our Forest Park." Carver shares insights with Don Corrgian about her new book, and how St. Louis parks and the parks system developed, and why St. Louis should be considered a premier city with access to numerous local parks and green spaces.